I just hosted another successful networking event tonight here in NYC with some amazing partners and collaborators.

One thing I have noticed is that in networking situations, human beings tend to ask the exact same questions over and over.

While this makes things somewhat boring and predictable, it’s understandable. People are often uncertain how to engage strangers in conversation, especially at networking events. At least they’re out there trying to connect.

And if you are on the receiving end of these questions, it makes your life so much easier: all you have to do is prepare excellent answers for these networking questions and you will fascinate everyone you meet.

Here are the top 7 questions to prepare for:

“What do you do?”
“How long have you been doing that?”
“How did you get into that?” (or) “How did you get started with that?”
“What did you do before that?”
“How are you liking that?” (or) “How is that going?”
“What are you looking for at this event?”
“How do you usually meet your clients?” (or) “How do you get new clients?”

And a bonus question. If you get this question, it’s definitely a positive sign–it means they are a very strong potential lead, relatively late in the buying decision process:

“How much do you charge?”

Instead of being caught surprised by these questions and trying to come up with answers on the spot, plan ahead of time.

And you have the ability to design a super interesting and compelling response to each one, and memorize it.

For example, if they ask “How did you get into web development?”

You could say: “Well, I started experimenting with friends’ websites a few years ago and I was able to help them make their websites a lot better, so then I started building a business from it.”

Or you could say: “You know, it’s a funny story actually. A few years ago, I was looking at my friend’s website randomly, and I noticed a huge mistake she was making on her purchase page that was costing her orders. I called her up and asked if she would let me fix it for her. She said, why not. I did and her sales doubled within the following month!”

Wow–what was that mistake? The other person is immediately curious to hear more now.

Not only is this way more engaging and creative, but it also gives little tidbits of the value you are adding to your clients. This gets the other person even more intrigued in what you have to offer.

Plus it’s just a lot more fun.

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Justin Aquino

As Founder and Head Coach of Cool Communicator, I lead our coaching programs and classes. Our programs help you improve professional communication skills, including public speaking, presentation skills, assertiveness in the workplace, impromptu speaking, and more.

“What do you do?”

“How long have you been doing that?”

“How did you get into that?” (or) “How did you get started with that?”

“What did you do before that?”

“How are you liking that?” (or) “How is that going?”

“What are you looking for at this event?”

“How do you usually meet your clients?” (or) “How do you get new clients?”